Nigeria: 19 died in Maidiguri city

MAIDUGURI, (Xinhua): At least 19 people have been killed in a renewed attack by insurgent group in Nigeria northeast Maidiguri city, local resident and military sources told Xinhua on Sunday.

A military source said some gunmen numbering about eight believed to be Boko Haram stormed Hausari ward in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a mock coffin.

“They hid their arms Inside the coffin to give the impression they were going on burial rites just to beat security checks and residents,” the military source added.

Local residents said the insurgents came to the Hausari ward on Friday evening to avenge the arrest of some of their members by the community vigilante group.

“Some of their members were arrested through our local security group and handed over to JTF but we were shocked when the Boko Haram came shooting sporadically. I ran into my house immediately and locked my doors,” Abdul Umaru disclosed.

Ba’ana Ali, a witness, said the gunmen came to the area in a Toyota Hillux, adding that “nobody thought they were Boko Haram until they started shooting.”

“The Boko Haram men killed 13 people including four women and two children but soldiers that came later got six of them,” Ali said.

Spokesman of the JTF Lt Col Sagir Musa said residents in the area assisted the JTF “by arresting the suspects and handed them over to the JTF.”

“Our men were right there when the residents alert the soldiers. On reaching the affected area, some of the suspects were arrested by the residents with the assistance of members of the Vigilante Group and active members of Youths Association of the wards,” he told reporters.

The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2015 was held on March in London to acknowledge British Muslim and non-Muslim contributions to the society.

The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2015 was held on March in London to acknowledge British Muslim and non-Muslim contributions to the society.

The Muslim News Awards for Excellence event is to acknowledge British Muslim and non-Muslim contributions to society. Over 850 people from diverse background, Muslim and non-Muslim, attended the gala dinner.